Page:Surprising life and adventures of the gentleman-robber, Redmond O'Hanlon (2).pdf/17

17 on fire in several places that night, that while the people were in confusion he might have an opportunity of executing his design; but Power let him know the danger of such an attempt, while a strong guard of soldiers were kept in the town, and dissuaded him from it by telling him of a much better opportunity that would offer on the road the next day, there being but a file or two of foot soldiers with the sheriff to guard him; and so put him in a way of forming a probable stratagem for making a rescue. Next morning the guard set out with the prisoner, and having conducted him about half way they stopped awhile at a public house on the road to refresh themselves. The prisoner was left under the charge of four soldiers, while the others sat in a large room at the other end, over a sup of liquor. While they sat in this posture, Redmond appeared at the door in the dress of a gentleman, and having enquired the cause of the soldiers being there, he desired to see the prisoner, which being readily granted to him, he called for wine to treat the men, and paid the whole reckoning. This being over, the officer called for more wine to treat the gentleman, while the men were plied with liquor, by Redmond's private orders, to facilitate his design.

As soon as found convenient, Redmond stepped out on pretence of making water, and looking round about to see whether the coast was clear, he observed eight men riding towards him, and found they were some of his own comrades, who had followed to assist him. To be sure his comrades could never meet him in a more welcome time. They consulted the manner of executing their design, and had the luck to rescue Power in a very surprising manner, as follows: One of the gang held the horses at the end of the house, whilst the rest followed Redmond into it, who opening a door that was in